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Giants Affeldt will listen to children about baseball future

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Jeremy Affeldt will take his three children into account when it comes to making a decision on whether he keeps pitching beyond this season.

The San Francisco Giants left-hander and 2014 World Series Game 7 winner at Kansas City would like to give it at least another season after 2015, when his $18 million, three-year contract with the reigning champions is set to expire. Affeldt insists he would like to remain a Giant after helping the franchise win three titles in the past five seasons.

But if his boys say they miss their father and want him home, the 35-year-old Affeldt plans to contemplate walking away for good with no regrets. Wife Larisa is supportive of him to keep pitching. They have three boys, 7-year-old Walker, 4-year-old Logan, and Kolt, 2.

''For me, it's all based on my children,'' he said. ''As soon as my kids, any of them, say, `I just miss you, I don't know if I want you to play anymore,' that's when you have a serious conversation. They haven't said much yet, but my oldest has kind of said from time to time, `How much longer are you going to play?' He's starting to kind of feel it a little bit, not really letting you know what he's trying to say, but he's going to get there eventually.''

He entered Wednesday night's game against Colorado ranked fourth among active pitchers in games played at 726, trailing the Rockies' LaTroy Hawkins (1,004), Milwaukee's Francisco Rodriguez and Detroit's Joe Nathan.

''I have little goals like to get to 800 appearances,'' said Affeldt, who prefers not to negotiate too much during the season and face potential distractions.

Affeldt went 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 62 relief outings last season and had four appearances entering Wednesday.

''You won't hear me complain one little bit about my time here,'' Affeldt said. ''I respect every one of my teammates I've been very thankful to have. I've learned a lot from every single one of them, coaches, front office. It's always a business scenario, so if business said I had to sign elsewhere I'd sign elsewhere, but that being said I'm also in no hurry to leave. A lot of that is out of your control. Whatever direction they decide to go, that's up to them, and I won't take anything personally.''

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